DJI RS3 Mini: Real Test Footage And Review - The New Generation Of Handheld Gimbals

Summary

In this video, Brandon Lee reviews the DJI RS3 mini gimbal, a compact and lightweight travel gimbal that he's been using extensively over a month in Morocco. He compares it to the RS2, highlighting its smaller size and ease of use, especially with the Sony A7 S3 and Tamron lenses. The video demonstrates various features, including follow mode, custom modes, and native vertical mode. Lee also shares tips on stabilizing shots, changing lenses, and using Bluetooth to toggle autofocus and manual focus for tricky scenes. He concludes that the RS3 mini is a practical and reliable choice for travel videography.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The video features Brandon Lee discussing his personal experience with the DJI RS3 Mini gimbal, a compact and lightweight version of the RS3.
• 🛂 The RS3 Mini's reduced size and weight make it easier to pass through airport security and more practical for travel.
• 📚 Brandon has been using the gimbal for over a month, including in harsh conditions in Morocco, and found it to be a 'lifesaver' for its portability.
• 🔧 The RS3 Mini's handle cannot be removed, unlike the RS2, but its smaller size makes this less of an issue.
• 📸 The gimbal performs well with heavy camera setups, such as the Sony A7 S3 with a Tamron 17-28mm lens, and remains light to handle for extended periods.
• 🚶‍♂️ Brandon demonstrates various modes of the gimbal, including follow mode and full lock mode, and shares tips for steady high-action shots.
• 👀 A tip for shooting with a gimbal is to look ahead and at your feet rather than at the LCD to avoid stumbling and to ensure steadier footage.
• 🤳 The RS3 Mini allows for custom modes, enabling users to quickly switch between different gimbal settings for specific shots.
• 🔄 Brandon showcases changing lenses on the gimbal while maintaining balance, highlighting the strength of the gimbal's motors.
• 📹 The video includes a technical demonstration of filming a subject moving from a bright to a dark area, manually toggling focus between AF and MF using the gimbal's Bluetooth controls.
• 📱 The RS3 Mini features a native vertical mode, simplifying the process of switching to vertical video without additional equipment.
• 💼 Brandon emphasizes the RS3 Mini's ease of packing, especially in comparison to larger gimbals that may not fit as neatly in a backpack.
• 🔒 The gimbal's manual locks are not an inconvenience, and he prefers them over the automatic locks of the RS3 which sometimes caused issues during rebalancing.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The video is a personal review by Brandon Lee on the DJI RS3 mini gimbal, discussing its features, usability, and his experiences using it in Morocco.

What is the purpose of the DJI RS3 mini gimbal?

The DJI RS3 mini gimbal is designed for stabilizing cameras during filming, making it easier to capture smooth footage, especially in travel and outdoor scenarios.

How does the size of the DJI RS3 mini compare to the RS2?

The DJI RS3 mini is significantly smaller than the RS2, making it more portable and easier to travel with.

Why might the RS3 mini be preferred over the RS2 for travel?

The RS3 mini is lighter and more compact, which makes it easier to get through airport security and to pack in a backpack, as well as less conspicuous for street filming.

What is the main difference between the RS3 mini and the RS3, aside from size?

The main difference aside from size is that the handle of the RS3 mini cannot be removed, unlike the RS2 where the handle can be detached for easier travel.

What camera and lens setup does Brandon Lee use with the RS3 mini in the video?

Brandon Lee uses the Sony A7 S3 camera with a Tamron 17 to 28 millimeter lens in combination with the RS3 mini gimbal.

What filming tips does Brandon Lee provide for high-action gimbal shots?

He suggests not looking at the LCD screen constantly, looking ahead and at your feet to avoid falling and ensure steadier shots.

How does the RS3 mini handle changing lenses while maintaining balance?

The gimbal can be put to sleep, the axis can be locked in a 45-degree position for lens changing, and upon waking up, it can reorient itself even if completely out of balance.

What custom modes does the RS3 mini offer and how can they be used?

The RS3 mini offers three custom modes accessible via the 'M' button, which can be used for different filming scenarios such as pan-tilt follow and all lock mode for precise framing.

How does the RS3 mini handle longer focal lengths and why is this important?

The RS3 mini can handle longer focal lengths like the Tamron 28 to 200 lens, which is important as longer focal lengths can magnify shake and require stronger motors for stabilization.

What unique feature does the RS3 mini have for vertical filming?

The RS3 mini has a native vertical mode that allows for quick repositioning of the gimbal for vertical shots without needing additional accessories.

What is Brandon Lee's final verdict on the RS3 mini after using it for over two months?

Brandon Lee is very positive about the RS3 mini, stating that he will continue to use it for his shoots due to its compact size, light weight, and strong performance.

What is the issue with the detachable handle on other gimbals according to Brandon Lee?

The issue with detachable handles on other gimbals is that they can leave exposed contacts and sometimes fall off if not properly reattached, which can be a hassle during filming.

How does the RS3 mini's manual locking mechanism compare to the automatic locks on the RS3?

The manual locking mechanism on the RS3 mini is preferred by Brandon Lee because it gives him more control during the balancing process, unlike the automatic locks on the RS3 that sometimes lock unintentionally.

Outlines

00:00

📹 DJI RS3 Mini Gimbal Review and Travel Experience

In this paragraph, the reviewer, Brandon Lee, introduces the DJI RS3 Mini gimbal, a compact version of the RS3, and shares his personal experience using it for over a month, including a trip to Morocco. He emphasizes the benefits of its reduced size and weight, making it easier to pass through airport security and more practical for travel. The RS3 Mini's handle cannot be removed, unlike the RS2, but its smaller size negates the need for this feature. The paragraph also includes a comparison with the RS2 and a demonstration of the gimbal's performance with a Sony A7 S3 camera and Tamron 17-28mm lens. Additionally, it covers the gimbal's follow mode and full lock mode, providing tips for high-action shots and the importance of looking ahead rather than at the LCD screen for steadier footage.

05:01

🔧 Custom Modes and Lens Changing with DJI RS3 Mini

This paragraph delves into the custom modes available on the DJI RS3 Mini, allowing the user to enable or disable any axis independently. The reviewer demonstrates how to use these modes for smooth tilting shots by disabling all but the tilt axis. It also covers the process of changing lenses on the gimbal, showcasing the gimbal's ability to reorient itself even when completely out of balance. The paragraph further discusses a technically challenging shot involving a subject walking from a bright to a dark area, requiring the camera to adjust exposure automatically in shutter priority mode. To tackle focus issues with foreground obstacles, the reviewer explains how to use the gimbal's Bluetooth connection to toggle between autofocus and manual focus during filming, providing specific settings for Sony camera users to ensure smooth switching.

10:02

🎥 Final Thoughts on the DJI RS3 Mini's Performance and Features

In the final paragraph, the reviewer reflects on his extensive use of the DJI RS3 Mini over two months, highlighting its continued use in his work due to its smaller and lighter design compared to the RS3. He discusses the gimbal's ease of packing, demonstrating how it can be folded and fit horizontally in a backpack, a feature not possible with larger gimbals. The paragraph also touches on the manual locks of the RS3 Mini, which the reviewer finds preferable to the automatic locks of the RS3 that sometimes caused annoyance during rebalancing. The reviewer concludes by commending the gimbal's performance under challenging conditions and expresses his intention to continue using it, inviting viewers to learn more through his film school, Unscripted Studio.

Keywords

💡DJI RS3 mini

The DJI RS3 mini is a compact and lightweight gimbal designed for stabilizing cameras during filming. It is a smaller version of the DJI RS3, which makes it more portable and practical for travel. In the video, the RS3 mini is highlighted as a significant upgrade due to its size and weight reduction, making it easier to carry and maneuver, especially in challenging environments like the ones encountered in Morocco.

💡Gimbal

A gimbal is a device that allows for smooth and stable camera movements by counteracting the effects of motion. In the context of the video, the gimbal is essential for capturing high-quality footage while walking or moving. The DJI RS3 mini gimbal is specifically praised for its performance with the Sony A7 S3 camera and Tamron lens setup, showcasing its ability to maintain stability even with a heavier camera and lens combination.

💡Travel

The concept of travel in the video refers to the use of the gimbal in various locations and conditions, emphasizing its portability and practicality. The script mentions that the DJI RS3 mini was taken all around Morocco, indicating that it is suitable for travel videography and can withstand harsh conditions, which is a key selling point for content creators who frequently travel.

💡Sony A7 S3

The Sony A7 S3 is a professional mirrorless camera known for its high-quality video capabilities. In the video, it is used in combination with the DJI RS3 mini gimbal to demonstrate the setup's effectiveness in capturing smooth footage. The camera's performance is integral to the video's message, as it is part of the equipment that benefits from the gimbal's stabilizing features.

💡Tamron Lens

The Tamron lens mentioned in the script refers to a specific brand of camera lenses known for their quality and performance. Two lenses are highlighted: the 17-28mm and the 28-200mm, which are used with the Sony A7 S3 camera on the DJI RS3 mini gimbal. These lenses are important as they showcase the versatility and compatibility of the gimbal with different focal lengths.

💡Follow Mode

Follow mode is a feature of gimbals that allows the camera to follow the movement of a subject. In the video, the follow mode is demonstrated as the camera operator moves the gimbal to frame the shot and then locks it in place to follow the subject smoothly. This mode is crucial for dynamic shots and is a key feature of the DJI RS3 mini gimbal.

💡Custom Modes

Custom modes on the DJI RS3 mini gimbal refer to the ability to set up and switch between different stabilization settings quickly. The video script mentions three custom modes, which can be changed using the 'M' button on the gimbal. These modes allow for various filming techniques, such as panning, tilting, or locking the camera in place, and are demonstrated as a way to achieve specific shots.

💡Vertical Mode

Vertical mode is a feature that allows the gimbal to be oriented vertically, which is useful for filming in portrait orientation. The script describes how the DJI RS3 mini has a native vertical mode that can be easily engaged without additional accessories, making it convenient for content creators who want to switch between landscape and portrait filming.

💡Bluetooth Connection

The Bluetooth connection mentioned in the video refers to the ability of the gimbal to connect wirelessly to the camera, allowing for remote control of certain camera functions. In the context of the video, the Bluetooth connection is used to toggle between autofocus and manual focus during filming, which is a unique feature that enhances the filming process.

💡Stress Test

A stress test in the video context refers to pushing the gimbal to its limits to see how it performs under challenging conditions. The script describes a scenario where the DJI RS3 mini is tested with a super zoom lens at a long focal length to evaluate its stability and motor strength, which is crucial for ensuring the gimbal can handle various filming scenarios.

💡Unscripted Studio

Unscripted Studio is a film school mentioned by the video's host, Brandon Lee, as a resource for learning more about filmmaking. It represents an educational aspect of the video, offering viewers additional content and learning opportunities beyond the review of the DJI RS3 mini gimbal.

Highlights

Introduction of the DJI RS3 mini gimbal as a smaller, more travel-friendly version of the RS3.

Personal experience using the RS3 mini for over a month in Morocco, emphasizing its practicality for travel.

Comparison between the RS3 mini and the RS2, noting the RS3 mini's smaller size and lighter weight.

The RS3 mini's inability to remove the handle, but its compactness compensating for this.

Similarity in functions between the RS3 mini and the RS3, with size being the main differentiator.

Use of the Sony A7 S3 and Tamron 17-28mm lens with the RS3 mini, praising its performance and lightness.

Demonstration of the RS3 mini's follow mode and full lock mode for steady shots.

Tip for high-action shots: looking ahead and at feet instead of the LCD for steadier footage.

Handing over the gimbal to Manit to show its performance in different hands.

Advantages of a lightweight gimbal when using a flimsy monopod.

Custom modes on the RS3 mini for quick framing and locking.

Technique for smooth tilt-up shots by disabling all axes except for tilt.

Demonstration of changing lenses with the gimbal while maintaining balance.

Stress test of the RS3 mini with a Tamron 28-200 super zoom lens at 125mm zoom.

Camera settings for exposure adjustment in varying light conditions.

Use of gimbal's Bluetooth to toggle autofocus and manual focus during filming.

New feature of the RS3 mini: native vertical mode for easy orientation change.

Overall thoughts on the RS3 mini after two months of use, highlighting its durability and practicality.

Advantages of the RS3 mini's compact size for easy packing and transport.

Preference for manual locks on the RS3 mini over automatic locks on the RS3.

Conclusion and invitation to learn more through Unscripted Studio.

Transcripts

foreign

how's it going I'm Brandon Lee and today

I'm going to be walking around with the

DJI RS3 mini gimbal this is a smaller

version of the RS3 this is not a

sponsored video by the way this is just

my own personal thoughts on this I have

been using this gimbal actually for over

a month now I took it all around Morocco

I filmed in harsh conditions after all

this traveling this gimbal has been a

lifesaver because the reduction in size

the reduction in weight means it's

easier to get through airport security

because they don't get as suspicious

it's easier to film on the street it's

easier to pack in my backpack it's just

overall to me a much more practical

travel gimbal than anything I've ever

used before and for comparison I have

the DJI rs2 gimbal with me I don't have

the RS3 but here's the rs2 and here's

the RS3 mini it's so much smaller and so

much easier to travel with one thing you

should know though you can't remove the

handle so on the rs2 you can take the

handle off

just like that right and then you can

travel with it like this with the RS3

mini the handle doesn't come off but

it's so much shorter anyway the handle

is so much smaller that I don't really

feel the need to remove it the functions

are very similar the main difference

here is the size and when I've been

using the R3 mini this has been my main

setup this is the Sony A7 S3 and the

Tamron 17 to 28 millimeter lens and the

gimbal performs beautifully I would say

with this setup and it still feels

really light in my hand like I can shoot

all day with this and not get tired so

anyway don't take my word for it we're

about to walk around and do some

shooting and you can see how the footage

looks

foreign

[Music]

[Applause]

[Applause]

follow mode the follow speed is slow so

what I like to do is sort of move it

around until the shot looks right to me

that looks pretty decent and then I

squeeze the trigger so the trigger is

being squeezed by my finger here that

locks it off now I'm in full lock mode

and let's walk

[Applause]

thank you

here's a little tip for high action

kinds of gimbal shots you don't want to

be looking at your LCD the whole time

when I was running up those stairs I

wasn't looking at where I was filming I

was looking ahead of me and I was

looking at my feet not only did I save

myself from potentially falling down

also it makes the shot steadier because

you're more sure-footed you know where

you're going more when you're looking at

your environment and you're less likely

to stumble or make little mistakes like

that that will find their way into your

shot

[Music]

[Music]

thank you

[Music]

I'm gonna hand over the Gimbal and manit

is going to give it a try so we're gonna

see how it looks in a different person's

hands let's go

[Applause]

[Music]

foreign

little monopod another reason it's good

to have a lightweight gimbal is because

if you want to use a flimsy monopod like

this it's better to not put too much

weight at the other end you get three

custom modes on the gimbal with the m

button and I'm in mode one which is pan

tilt follow on my gimbal so I'm going to

do is set my frame

okay I wanted to look about like that

looking sort of straight down and now I

just changed over to mode three custom

and I I turned off pan tilt and follow

so now it's in all lock mode

so that's a quick way to get your

framing you just set your framing in

pencil follow mode and then you switch

over to all lock mode and it just holds

that frame for you

[Music]

so let's say you want to do a really

smooth tilt up with the gimbal well most

of the time you use pan tilt follow mode

for that right so it follows your pan

and your tilt well on DJI gimbals you

have in the custom mode you have the

option to enable or disable any axis

independently so in this case I have

disabled everything except for the Tilt

axis which means when I tilt down I

don't have to worry about it

accidentally panning and that makes it

so much easier for me to do a shot like

this where I pull up

and I tilt up at the same time

I'm going to show you how I changed

lenses with this gimbal first of all I

single press the power button that puts

it to sleep then I just lock off my Axis

but this tilt axis has a 45 degree

position so I lock it tilting up like

this and then I can see what I'm doing

as I change out lenses

whoops

now this is completely out of balance

right but let's see if the gimbal will

still reorient itself properly if I take

it off sleep mode

not too bad

we're completely off balance and it's

still able to get back to neutral

position which means that the motors are

pretty strong okay this next shot I'm

about to do is technically tricky so I'm

going to walk you through how I'm going

to do it uh with all the details and all

the settings and stuff so first of all I

switched out my lens I now have the

Tamron 28 to 200

super zoom lens and I'm going to zoom

this in

to 125. that's pretty far zoomed in

because I want to give this gimbal a

stress test to see if it can handle

longer focal lengths because usually

longer focal lengths will show your

shake more I'm going to remove the ND

filter and I'll explain why in a second

I am going to put my gimbal in all lock

mode I'm going to use the briefcase

handle for a little extra stability as I

walk and now we'll get into the camera

settings in this shot minute is going to

be my actor and he will walk from a

bright area to a dark area and I need

the camera to automatically adjust the

exposure and the way I'm going to do

that is by putting my camera into

shutter priority mode that means the

shutter stays the same 1 50th of a

second and the aperture automatically

adjusts itself in the scene next I have

to deal with the focus this is going to

be a tricky scene to focus because

minutes is walking behind several

foreground obstacles like poles and

trees and things like that and I don't

want the camera to focus on those

objects by mistake so here's the magic

trick I'm going to use the gimbal's

Bluetooth connection to switch to the

camera between AF and MF during the

scene while I'm filming and here's how I

do it the gimbal has a record button

that record button will Bluetooth

control your camera's record button but

I'm going to remap my record button on

my camera so I've gone into my menu I've

gone into my custom key settings and

I've remapped it so that this record

button is afmf toggle which means every

time I hit the record button it switches

between autofocus and manual focus

therefore when the gimbal is connected

via Bluetooth to the camera the record

button on the gimbal also controls afmf

toggle every time I hit this record

button on gimbal it will switch the

camera to AF or to MF now here's the tip

for Sony camera users in order to make

this button responsive enough you need

to set your subject shift sensitivity on

your camera to five and I said the

subject shifts speed to 3 because that's

a nice medium speed okay so that's all

the technical stuff now let's go

actually try this out and see how it

works

foreign

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

here's a new feature of the RS3 mini

that's kind of cool it has native

vertical mode so all you do is you

unlatch in the front here and you press

the little button in the back and you

slide this off and then you slide it

back in to some grooves there and you

lock it in so with a lot of gimbals you

know you have to use a cage or you have

to add an extra piece or something with

this one there's nothing extra that you

have to add it's pretty fast

all right

foreign

[Music]

okay now some of my overall thoughts

about the RS3 mini I've had this gimbal

for over two months now because I was

part of the launch campaign so they gave

me a gimbal to keep and I took it to

Morocco I did a lot of real shooting

with it this is the gimbal that I will

continue to use because it's basically

the same gimbal as the RS3 but it's

smaller and lighter so for me that's an

all-around win it fits really well into

a backpack let's say I want to pack this

up right I could do the half fold

here so that's where I lock it like this

the full fold is where you release it

completely but there's a position you

can lock it there it's called half fold

then I can just quickly remove this arm

so in a few seconds it's down for this

size

if this handle was longer then it

wouldn't fit in horizontally on my

backpack like you're seeing here you

know other gimbals that are maybe an

inch or two inches longer in the handle

or if they have longer arms that

protrude out a little bit further they

don't drop in horizontally so then you

have to fit them in vertically and that

creates its own headaches because

sometimes the backpack won't have a nice

spot for the handle to drop in there or

you have to you know put them in a

special case and carry them separately

the other Ronin gimbals do have this

detachable handle but that leaves some

exposed contacts when you detach it and

when you reattach it like this I found

that sometimes I would forget to

completely close this wing nut here and

the handle would summarily fall off I'd

much prefer just to drop in a gimbal

with a shorter handle one more thing to

mention here the locks are manual

they're not automatic like on the RS3

not really a big deal because when I

unlock it or lock it usually it's

because as I'm balancing the Gimbal and

with the RS3 because the locks were

automatic I would find that sometimes it

would close itself automatically and it

would lock itself and then I would have

to manually unlock it in order to

rebalance it and that got annoying so I

really don't mind just operating the

locks manually so those are my thoughts

for the RS3 mini I have put this gimbal

through hell and it's performed really

well and I'm going to continue to use it

on my shoots so thanks for watching once

again I'm Brandon Lee if you want to

learn more from me I have a film school

it's called unscripted Studio the link

is in the description of this video

please click like And subscribe and I

will see you in the next video